With Hurricane Irma expected to make landfall in South Florida this weekend, Equo is working around the clock to safely evacuate horses from Palm Beach county and surrounding areas. If you need immediate help, please request a trip through the Equo App or call 1-844-378-6552.
Horse owners and farm managers staying to wait out the storm are advised to secure their farms and activate their hurricane emergency plans. Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) offered the following safety suggestions:
- While leaving halters on horses is not normally recommended, in preparation for a natural disaster, PBEC recommends horses wear a halter for the duration of the storm with a tag stating the horse’s name and owner contact information in case they get loose.
- Write horse’s name and owner contact information on horse’s pastern with a permanent marker.
- Clean up around the barn for debris that may take flight.
- Ensure that horses have access to plenty of fresh water and hay that is secure and off the ground.
- Perform a physical examination of your horse the day before to make sure all is healthy and have a comparison for post-storm examination.
- Horses who regularly live outside are naturally well-equipped to remain outside in their natural environment during the storm.
- After the storm passes, feed less grain and more hay. The drop in barometric pressure during a storm reduces gut motility and allows grain to sit in a horse’s stomach, risking colic and other gastrointestinal problems.
Please note that PBEC is available for all emergencies 24/7 with 25 veterinarians and three board-certified surgeons on staff during this hurricane. The clinic is also equipped with generators and will be able to offer full-service care and treatments after the storm. In case of an emergency, please call the main line at (561) 793-1599.
As always, Equo will be standing by to assist horse owners before and after Hurricane Irma. Please check the Equo Facebook page for ongoing updates on load availability, layover farm locations and emergency resources.
Stay safe friends!
